Optical recording medium including multiple layers and a pre-write area

ABSTRACT

An optical recording medium provided with one or a plurality of recording layers includes an adjustment data recording area for recording therein adjustment data used for adjusting focus or spherical aberration of laser light used for recording/reproduction, the adjustment data recording area being disposed at a predetermined position on each of the one or plurality of recording layers, and a determination information recording area for recording therein determination information indicating whether or not the adjustment data has been recorded in the adjustment data recording area in each of the one or plurality of recording layers.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/522,459 filed Sep. 18, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,154,967, andcontains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP2005-281438 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Sep. 28, 2005, theentire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical recording medium such as anoptical disc, a recording apparatus for the optical recording medium, arecording/reproduction apparatus, a recording method, and arecording/reproduction method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Data recording/reproduction techniques are known which use optical discsas recording media, such as CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (DigitalVersatile Discs), for recording/reproducing digital data. The term“optical discs” refers in general to recording media formed of a thincircular metal plate protected with plastic, onto which laser light isirradiated so that a data signal can be read by detecting variations inthe intensity of reflected light.

Optical discs include, for example, reproduction-only type-opticaldiscs, such as CDs, CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, and recordable-type opticaldiscs, such as MDs (Mini-Discs), CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-R, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs,and DVD-RAMs in which user data can be recorded. Data can be recorded onsuch recordable-type optical discs by employing recording techniquessuch as magneto-optical recording, phase-change recording, and dye-filmchange recording. Dye-film change recording is also called write-oncerecording and is preferable for a data storage application, since itpermits recording of data only one time and does not permit rewriting ofrecorded data. In magneto-optical recording and phase-change recording,on the other hand, rewriting of data is permitted. Thus, these recordingtechniques are used for various applications such as recording ofcontent data of music, movies, games, application programs, etc.

In recent years, a high-density optical disc called Blue-ray Disc hasbeen developed with a view to realizing a significant increase incapacity.

In such a high-density optical disc, for example, whenrecording/reproduction is performed using a laser with a wavelength of405 nm (i.e., a blue laser) and an objective lens with an NA of 0.85,approximately 23.3 GB (gigabyte) of data can be recorded on orreproduced from a disc having a diameter of 12 cm. In this example, thislarge capacity is achieved when the disc has a track pitch of 0.32 μm, alinear density of 0.12 μm/bit, and a format efficiency of 82% with arecording/reproduction unit of a 64 KB (kilobyte) data block.

Further, if the linear density of the above optical disc is 0.112μm/bit, a 25 GB capacity can be achieved.

Moreover, by adding a further recording layer so that the optical dischas two recording layers, the capacity can be doubled to 46.6 GB or 50GB.

Needless to say, by increasing the number of the recording layer tothree, four, . . . N, a capacity of 23.3 GB or 25 GB times three, four,. . . N can be realized.

The write-once type and the writable type of such high-density opticaldiscs have also been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, high-density optical discs, due to the decrease in laserwavelength and decrease in NA, have lower tolerances for defocus andspherical aberration in recording/reproduction than those of CDs andDVDs. Thus, fine adjustment of focus and spherical aberration isnecessary in recording/reproduction using such a high-density opticaldisc. Particularly, when the disc is provided with a plurality ofrecording layers (i.e., a multilayer disc), precise adjustment has to beperformed for each recording layer. In this case, it is desirable thatthe adjustment can be performed in a short time taking accessibilityinto consideration.

In addition, in adjustment of focus or spherical aberration, while datais being reproduced the quality of the reproduced data is monitored sothat the focus or spherical aberration is appropriately adjusted. Thus,it is necessary that the data be recorded in advance. However, whenadjustment of focus or spherical aberration for a write-once disc or aphase-change disc is desired, data is not necessarily recorded on thedisc before the adjustment is performed.

Thus, the adjustment of focus and spherical aberration is normallycarried out on a write-once disc or a phase-change disc when recordingconditions such as a laser power are adjusted. Specifically, a recordingapparatus conducts test writing in a predetermined area for laser poweradjustment before performing a recording operation, and then reproducesthe written data so as to adjust the laser power. At the same time, therecording apparatus also performs adjustment of focus and sphericalaberration using the written data.

However, an adjustment operation of focus and spherical aberrationperformed during an adjustment operation of recording conditions such aslaser power results in an increase in the complexity of processing. Inaddition, adjustment values applied in both the adjustment operationsaffect each other, causing the necessity of a long time for processing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstance.Accordingly, there is a need for a technique for adjusting focus andspherical aberration in a short time.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention, an opticalrecording medium provided with one or a plurality of recording layersincludes an adjustment data recording area for recording thereinadjustment data used for adjusting focus or spherical aberration oflaser light used for recording/reproduction, the adjustment datarecording area being disposed at a predetermined position on each of theone or a plurality of recording layers, and a determination informationrecording area for recording therein determination informationindicating whether or not the adjustment data has been recorded in theadjustment data recording area in each of the one or a plurality ofrecording layers.

The determination information to be recorded in the determinationinformation recording area includes one bit for each recording layer sothat a value of the one bit indicates whether or not the adjustment datahas been recorded.

The optical recording medium is a write-once recording medium on whichdata can only be written one time.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatusfor recording data the an optical recording medium includes recordingmeans for performing data recording on the optical recording medium andcontrolling means for controlling the recording means so that theadjustment data is recorded in the adjustment data recording area.

When the recording means is controlled so that the adjustment data isrecorded in the adjustment data recording area, the controlling meanscontrols the recording means so that the determination information isrecorded in the determination information recording area, in response tothe recording of the adjustment data.

The controlling means determines a recording status of the adjustmentdata recording area in each recording layer on the basis of thedetermination information in the determination information recordingarea, and, on the basis of a result of the determination, controls therecording means so that the adjustment data is recorded in all or atleast one of the adjustment data recording areas in each recordinglayer.

According to an aspect of the present invention, arecording/reproduction apparatus for recording data on or reproducingdata from the optical recording medium includes recording/reproducingmeans for performing data recording or data reproduction using theoptical recording medium, adjusting means for adjusting focus orspherical aberration of laser light output from therecording/reproducing means, and controlling means for causing theadjusting means to adjust the focus or spherical aberration whilecausing the recording/reproducing means to reproduce the adjustment datarecorded in the adjustment data recording area.

When it is determined that the adjustment data has been recorded in theadjustment data recording area on the basis of the determinationinformation recorded in the determination information recording area,the controlling means causes the recording/reproduction means toreproduce the adjustment data recorded in the adjustment data recordingarea and causes the adjusting means to adjust the focus or sphericalaberration.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a recording method forrecording data on the optical recording medium includes the steps ofrecording the adjustment data in the adjustment data recording area andrecording the determination information in the determination informationrecording area in response to the recording of the adjustment data.

According to an aspect of the present invention, arecording/reproduction method for recording data on or reproducing datafrom the optical recording medium includes the steps of determiningwhether or not the adjustment data has been recorded in the adjustmentdata recording area, on the basis of the determination information inthe determination information recording area, and, when it is determinedin the determining step that the adjustment data has been recorded,adjusting the focus or spherical aberration while reproducing theadjustment data recorded in the adjustment data recording area.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatusfor performing data recording on the optical recording medium includesrecording means for recording adjustment data used for adjusting focusor spherical aberration of laser light used for recording/reproductionin an adjustment data recording area disposed at a predeterminedposition on each of the one or a plurality of recording layers, andrecording determination information indicating whether or not theadjustment data has been recorded in the adjustment data recording areaprovided in each of the one or a plurality of recording layers, in adetermination information recording area disposed at a predeterminedposition on each of the one or a plurality of recording layers.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a recording method inwhich data recording is performed on the optical recording mediumincludes the steps of recording adjustment data used for adjusting focusor spherical aberration of laser light used for recording/reproductionin an adjustment data recording area disposed at a predeterminedposition on each of the one or a plurality of recording layers, andrecording determination information indicating whether or not theadjustment data has been recorded in the adjustment data recording areaprovided in each of the one or a plurality of recording layers, in adetermination information recording area disposed at a predeterminedposition on each of the one or a plurality of recording layers.

In an optical recording medium having one or a plurality of recordinglayers, the adjustment data recording area is provided on each recordinglayer, and the determination information area is provided at apredetermined area such as a management information area. This allows arecording apparatus and a reproduction apparatus to immediatelyrecognize whether or not the adjustment data has been recorded in theadjustment data recording area on the basis of the determinationinformation recorded in the determination information recording area.For example, these apparatuses can determine a recording status of theadjustment data recording area without performing a search operation fordetermining whether or not adjustment data can be obtained duringreproduction. In the search operation, it is determined, for eachrecording layer, whether or not the adjustment data has been recorded inthe adjustment data recording area.

Further, if the adjustment data has been recorded in the adjustment datarecording area, a recording apparatus and a reproduction apparatus,before executing recording or reproduction, are allowed to immediatelyperform adjustment of focus and spherical aberration while reproducingthe adjustment data recording area. For a recording medium having aplurality of recording layers, adjustment of focus and sphericalaberration can be performed using each adjustment data recording areaprovided in the individual recording layers. This permits fineadjustment of focus and spherical aberration for each layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustment datarecording area used for adjusting focus and spherical aberration isprovided on one or a plurality of recording layers of an opticalrecording medium. A recording apparatus records adjustment data in theadjustment data recording area. The recording apparatus further recordsdetermination information in a determination information recording areain response to the recording of the adjustment data.

In a recording operation or a reproduction operation, the recordingapparatus or a reproduction apparatus checks the determinationinformation in the determination information recording area of theoptical recording medium, so as to immediately recognize whether or notthe adjustment data has been recorded in the adjustment data recordingarea on each recording layer. If the adjustment data has been recordedon the adjustment data recording area, adjustment of focus or sphericalaberration can be executed while the adjustment data recording area isbeing reproduced. Particularly, using the recording area, which isdedicated for adjustment of focus and spherical aberration, theadjustment of focus or spherical aberration can be performedindependently of adjustment of recording conditions such as a laserpower. This reduces the time necessary for the adjustment operations.

With this technique, focus and spherical aberration can be adjusted in ashort time in a recording or reproduction operation. That is, adjustmentoperations performed as a preparation for recording/reproduction can becompleted in a short time, and thus a recording/reproduction apparatuswith high operating efficiency can be realized. In addition, recordingand reproduction operations with appropriate focus and sphericalaberration can be realized.

In addition, for an optical recording medium having a plurality ofrecording layers, recording and reproduction operations with focus andspherical aberration which are appropriate for each recording layer canbe achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a layer structure of a disc according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an area structure of a one-layer disc according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a lead-in zone of a disc according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an area structure of a one-layer disc according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an area structure of a two-layer disc according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an area structure of a first recording layer of atwo-layer disc according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an area structure of a second recording layer of atwo-layer disc according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an area structure of an N-layer disc according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate spiral directions of the track of amultilayer disc according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a DMA of a disc according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a DDS of a disc according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a pre-write area flag of a disc according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a DFL of a disc according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a DFL entry of a disc according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a disc driveapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a spherical aberration adjustment mechanismaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a spherical aberration adjustment mechanismaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a servo circuit of a disc driveapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a read/write circuit of a discdrive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates focus bias adjustment according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 21A to 21D illustrate spherical aberration adjustment according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according toan embodiment of the present invention, which is performed when a discis mounted;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according toan embodiment of the present invention, which is performed when a discis mounted;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according toan embodiment of the present invention, which is performed when a discis mounted; and

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according toan embodiment of the present invention, which is performed when a discis mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, the preferred embodiments of the present inventionwill be described in the order outlined below. In these exemplaryembodiments, a high-density optical disc is applied as an example of anoptical recording medium according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As an example of a recording/reproduction apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, a disc drive apparatusserving to record data on and reproduce data from the high-densityoptical disc is applied. A recording method and a recording/reproductionmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention areimplemented in the disc drive apparatus.

-   -   1. Structures of one-layer/two-layer/N-layer discs    -   2. Area structure of disc    -   3. DMA (Disc Management Area)    -   4. Configuration of disc drive apparatus    -   5. Processing performed when disc is mounted        [1. Structures of One-Layer/Two-Layer/N-Layer Discs]

An optical disc 1 described in this embodiment is assumed to be awrite-once optical disc of the category of high-density optical discscalled Blue-ray discs. In such a write-once optical disc, an organic dyematerial or an inorganic material such as an Si film and Cu-alloy filmis used for a recording layer. However, other types of discs, forexample, having recording layers formed of phase-change recording filmsand magneto-optical recording films, or rewritable discs can be employedin a structure of an embodiment of the present invention which will bedescribed.

An example of physical parameters of the high-density optical disc 1according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The optical disc 1 has a diameter of 120 mm and a thickness of 1.2 mm.That is, the optical disc 1 in this embodiment has the same appearanceas a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

A blue laser is used for recording on/reproduction from the optical disc1. The optical disc 1 has a user data recording capacity ofapproximately 23 to 25 GB per recording layer, by employing a smalltrack pitch (for example, 0.32 μm), a high recording linear density (forexample, 0.12 μm), and an optical system having a high NA (for example,0.85).

Types of the optical disc 1 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention include an optical disc having one recording layer (aone-layer disc), and an optical disc having two or more recording layers(a two-layer disc, a three-layer disc, etc.). Such a disc having two ormore recording layers is generally called a “multilayer disc” or an“N-layer disc”, in this embodiment. “N” indicates the number ofrecording layers. Needless to say, the recording capacity significantlyincreases with increasing number of recording layers.

Examples of a one-layer disc, a two-layer disc, and an N-layer disc areschematically illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B illustrates a layeraddress assigned to each recording layer of the individual discs.

The thickness of each disc is 1.2 mm, as mentioned above, and thethickness of a substrate RL formed of polycarbonate is 1.1 mm.

An optical beam emitted from a disc drive apparatus for performingrecording on and reproduction from the disc 1 is illustrated by adotted-chain line. This optical beam is a blue laser beam having awavelength of 405 nm and is converged through an objective lens with anNA of 0.85 onto the optical disc 1 from the side of a cover layer CVL.

The one-layer disc illustrated in FIG. 1A includes a substrate RL havinga thickness of 1.1 mm, a recording layer L0 formed of a dye-changerecording film, and a cover layer CVL having a thickness of 100 μm. Therecording layer L0 is disposed on the substrate RL. The cover layer CVLis disposed on the recording layer L0.

In recording/reproduction of this one-layer disc, the optical beam isincident from the CVL side and converged onto the recording layer L0.

The address assigned to the recording layer L0 is “0”.

The two-layer disc illustrated in FIG. 1A includes, a substrate RL of1.1 mm thickness, a first recording layer L0, a middle layer ML having athickness of 25 μm, a second recording layer L1, and a CVL having athickness of 75 μm. The first recording layer L0 is disposed on thesubstrate RL. The middle layer ML is sandwiched between the firstrecording layer L0 and the second recording layer L1. The CVL isdisposed on the second recording layer L1.

In recording on/reproduction from this two-layer disc, the optical beamis incident from the CVL side and converged onto the recording layer L0and the recording layer L1.

The address assigned to the first recording layer L0 is “0” and theaddress assigned to the second recording layer L1 is “1”.Recording/reproduction is performed in the order of the layer address“0” and the layer address “1”.

The first recording layer L0 of the two-layer disc is disposed at aposition 100 μm distanced from the surface of the cover layer CVL(CVLS), similarly to the one-layer disc.

The N-layer disc illustrated in FIG. 1A includes a substrate RL having athickness of 1.1 mm, a first recording layer L0, a second recordinglayer L1, . . . , and an Nth recording layer L(N−1), middle layers eachhaving a thickness of 25 μm, and a cover layer CVL. Each of the middlelayers MLs is sandwiched by two recording layers, similarly to the casesof the two-layer disc. Specifically, the Nth recording layer L(N−1) isdisposed on the (N−1)th recording layer having the middle layer MLtherebetween.

The thickness of the cover layer CVL is expressed as 100−(n−1)×25 μm.

In recording on/reproduction from the N-layer disc, the optical beam isincident form the CVL side and converged on each of the recording layersL0, L1, . . . , and LN.

The layer address assigned to the first recording layer L0 is “0”, thelayer address assigned to the second recording layer L1 is “1”, and thelayer address assigned to the Nth recording layer L(N−1) is “N−1”.Recording on/reproduction from the N-layer disc is performed in theorder of the layer address “0”, the layer address “1”, . . . , and thelayer address “N−1”.

The first recording layer L0 of the N-layer disc is disposed at aposition 100 μm distanced from the surface of the cover layer CVL(CVLS), similarly to the cases of the one-layer disc and the two-layerdisc.

Thus, in every one of the one-layer disc to the N-layer disc, thedistance from the first recording layer L0 and the surface of the coverlayer CVLS is 100 μm. In each multilayer disc, the recording layers L1to L (N−1) formed of first to Nth organic-dye recording films arearranged between the first recording layers L0 and the surface of thecover layer CVLS.

Therefore, in every one of the one-layer disc to the N-layer disc, thefirst recording layer L0 can be disposed on the polycarbonate substrateRL. This allows a part of a manufacturing process to be standardized forall of the discs. In addition, the first recording layers L0 of all thediscs can have similar recording/reproduction characteristics.

In a multilayer disc, the second and the subsequent layers are arrangedat positions closer to the surface of the cover layer CVLS than theposition at which the first recording layer L0 is arranged. Therefore,the distances from the second to Nth recording layers to the surface ofcover layer are sequentially decreased. That is, as the number Nincreases, the thickness of the cover layer decreases, and the toleranceof the tilt angle of the optical beam with respect to the optical disc 1increases.

Thus, conditions for recording on/reproducing from the second to the Nthrecording layers such as recording/reproduction characteristics can berelaxed compared with those for the first recording layer. Thisincreases productivity of multilayer discs while decreasing the cost.

When data is recorded on or reproduced from each of the recording layersL0 to L(N−1) of a multilayer disc, an optical beam is converged on eachof the recording layers. At this time, since the distances from thesurface of the cover layer CVLS to the individual recording layers vary,spherical aberration is corrected for each recording layer so that thedata is appropriately recorded or reproduced.

In every one of the one-layer disc to the N-layer disc, the distancefrom the surface of the cover layer CVLS to the first recording layer L0is 100 μm. Thus, it can be configured such that the spherical aberrationis adjusted in an optical head in accordance with the first recordinglayer L0, before or when the optical disc 1 is mounted in the disc driveapparatus. With this configuration, an optical beam can appropriately beconverged on the first recording layer L0 having the layer address “0”so that recording/reproduction can be performed from the layer address“0”, when any of the one-layer disc to the N-layer disc is mounted.

[2. Area Structure of Disc]

Now, an area structure of the disc 1 as a one-layer disc, a two-layerdisc, and an N-layer disc will be described.

FIG. 2 illustrates a layout (area structure) of the entire optical disc1 as a one-layer disc.

Data areas of the disc 1 include a lead-in zone, a data zone, and alead-out zone which are arranged in that order from the innercircumference side to the outer circumference side. In the lead-in zone,a BCA (Burst Cutting Area), a pre-recorded information area PR, and amanagement/control information area are provided in that order from theinner circumference side to the outer circumference side.

From the view point of a physical area structure concerningrecording/reproduction, an area including the BCA arranged at theinnermost circumference and the pre-recorded information area PR in thelead-in zone serves as a reproduction-dedicated area (a PB area). Anarea including the management/control information area in the lead-inzone to the lead-out zone serves as a write-once area (a WO area) inwhich data can only be recorded one time.

The BCA, provided at the innermost circumference in the lead-in zoneserves to allow recording of data as a bar-code in a radial direction,using a recording technique in which the recording layer is burned witha high-output laser. Thus, an ID unique to each disc is recorded. Usingthis unique ID, copying of contents to the optical disc 1 is managed.

A recording track in the form of a wobbling groove (meandering groove)is spirally provided on the entire reproduction-dedicated area (PB area)except the BCA, i.e., the pre-recorded information area PR and WO area.The wobbling groove serves as a guide for a tracking operation of alaser spot. The wobbling groove also serves as the recording track usedfor data recording/reproduction.

In this embodiment, a case is described where the optical disc 1 employssuch a groove recording technique in which data is recorded in thegroove. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, andthe optical disc 1 can employ a land recording technique in which datais recorded on a land provided between grooves. In addition, aland-groove recording technique can also be employed in which data isrecorded on both lands and grooves.

The groove serving as the recording track meanders in accordance with awobble signal. Thus, the disc drive apparatus for the optical disc 1irradiates a laser spot onto the groove so as to detect the position ofopposite edges of the groove from reflected light of the laser spot.Then the disc drive apparatus extracts variation components of the edgepositions with respect to the disc radius direction by moving the laserspot along the recording track groove, thereby reproducing the wobblesignal.

The wobble signal has been modulated with address information (aphysical address and other additional information) specifying arecording position in the recording track. The disc drive apparatus canperform processing such as address control during datarecording/reproduction by demodulating the address information etc.,from the wobble signal. Information such as address recorded by awobbling groove is called ADIP (Address in Pregroove) information.

As PIC (Permanent information & Calibration) information, information onsuggested conditions of recording/reproduction laser power and recordingconditions such as a laser drive pulse waveform, and information usedfor copy protection are pre-recorded by a wobbling groove in thepre-recorded information area PR of the reproduction-dedicated area PB.These pieces of information are recorded as reproduction-onlyinformation which cannot be rewritten.

In addition, the above PIC information can be recorded by embossed pitsor the like.

The management/control information area will be described below.

The data zone serves to allow recording/reproduction of user data.

The data zone includes an inner spare area (ISA) and an outer spare area(OSA) as spare areas which are set at positions preceding and succeedingthe data area for user data recording, respectively. When there is asection (sector, cluster) in which data failed to be recorded or fromwhich data failed to be reproduced, due to a defect or the like inpersonal computer use, the ISA and OSA replace the area. Note that thesereplace areas may not be set when, for example, real-time recording witha high transfer rate such as video recording is performed.

Data cannot physically be rewritten to a write-once medium. However,data can logically be rewritten through replacement processing.Specifically, when data recorded on an existing block (an area such as acluster) is attempted to be rewritten, new data is recorded on anotherblock. Then, this block having the new data recorded therein is managedas replacement management information similarly to the case of the abovedefect replacement, so that overwriting can logically be performed. Inthis type of data rewriting, a block within the ISA or OSA may be usedas a spare area.

The lead-out zone is provided to the outer circumference side of thedata zone. This lead-out zone is used as a buffer area in case of anoverrun during a seek operation.

DMA (Disc Management Area) information, which will be described below,may be recorded on the lead-out zone as well as the lead-in zone.

In such a one-layer disc as described above, addresses are sequentiallyrecorded from the inner circumference side to the outer circumferenceside. Te disc drive apparatus performs recording/reproduction from theinner circumference side to the outer circumference side.

FIG. 3 illustrates positions of the areas within the WO area illustratedin FIG. 2.

As shown in the figure, the WO area occupies a region ranging from theradius of 23.235 mm to the radius of 58.50 mm of the disc 1.

The lead-in zone is allocated to a region inside the radius of 24 mm thedisc 1. The data zone is allocated to a region ranging from the radiusof 24 mm to the radius of 58 mm of the disc 1, and the lead-out zone isallocated to a region ranging from the radius of 58 mm to the radius of58.5 mm of the disc 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the lead-in zone, the management/controlinformation area is allocated to the region ranging from the radius of23.235 mm to the radius of 24 mm. In this management/control informationarea, information areas (INFO 1, INFO 2), a test write area OPC, and atemporary disc management area (TDMA) are provided.

The test write area OPC is allocated to a region ranging from the radiusof 23.278 mm to the radius of 23.621 mm of the disc 1. The test writearea OPC is used for test writing to be performed whenrecording/reproduction conditions of recording marks, such as arecording/reproduction laser power, are set. That is, the test writearea OPC is provided for adjustment of recording/reproductionconditions.

Each of the information area INFO 1, allocated to a region (23.958 mm-24mm), and the information area INFO 2, allocated to a region (23.235mm-23.278 mm) includes a disc management area (DMA) and control data.The disc management area DMA is used for recording or reproducinginformation for controlling defect information on the disc 1.

A region ranging from the radius of 23.621 mm to the radius of 23.958 mmserves as the temporary disc management area TDMA.

In this embodiment, the optical disc 1 has a track pitch of 0.32 μm anda linear density of 0.12 μm/bit.

Recording/reproduction is performed in units of clusters. One cluster iscomposed of 64 KB of user data.

In this case, in the lead-in zone, 256 clusters are allocated to theinformation area INFO 2, 2048 clusters to the test write area OPC, 2048clusters to the temporary disc management area TDMA, and 256 clusters tothe information area INFO 1.

The data zone for user data recording/reproduction is provided with355603 clusters. Thus, the recording capacity for user data isapproximately 23.3 GB (64 KB×355603).

The lead-out zone contains 7429 clusters.

FIG. 4 illustrates in detail the pre-recorded information area PR andthe management/control information area of the two-layer discillustrated in FIG. 2.

The pre-recorded information area PR is provided in thereproduction-dedicated area PB, as described above. As shown in FIG. 4,a region allocated to the inner circumference side in thereproduction-dedicated area PB serves as a protection zone, and the PICinformation described above is recorded by a wobbling groove in theouter circumference side in the reproduction-dedicated area PB.

The position of each area or zone in terms of the radius of the opticaldisc 1 is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, themanagement/control information area of the one-layer disc includes theinformation area INFO 2, a test write area OPC 0, a TDMA 0, and theinformation area INFO 1 in that order from the inner circumference sideto the outer circumference side.

Out of the 256 clusters of the information area INFO 2, 160 clusters areallocated as a reserve area, 32 clusters as a disc management area DMA2, 32 clusters as control data 2, and 32 clusters as a buffer.

Out of the 256 clusters of the information area INFO 1, 32 clusters areallocated as a pre-write area, 32 clusters, as a drive area, 96 clustersas a reserve area, 32 clusters as a disc management area DMA 1, 32clusters as a control data 1, and 32 clusters as a buffer.

Identical information is recorded in each of the control data 1 of theinformation area INFO 1 and the control data 2 of the information areaINFO 2.

This identical information includes a disc type, a disc size, a discversion, a layer structure, a channel bit length, a BCA information, atransfer rate, data zone position information, a recording linearvelocity, recording/reproduction laser power information, etc.

Identical information is recorded in each of the two DMAs (DMA 1, DMA 2)of the individual information areas INFO 1 and INFO 2. This identicalinformation serves as replacement management information for managingdefect replacement and logical rewriting, etc.

In general, in the field of disc recording/reproduction systems, DMAsused for recording replacement management information for defectmanagement are called “defect management areas”. However, the DMAs inthe disc 1 according to this embodiment can record not only suchreplacement management information for a defective section but alsomanagement information for implementing the logical data rewritingdescribed above in the write-once disc. Thus, the DMA in this embodimentis referred to as a “disc management area”.

In order to carry out defect management and data rewriting throughreplacement processing, it is necessary that a content of the DMA beupdated in accordance with the data rewriting, etc. The TDMA (TemporaryDisc Management Area) mentioned above is provided for this purpose.

The replacement management information to be recorded in the DMA isfirst recorded in the TDMA. In response to replacement processingperformed for data rewriting or due to the presence of a defect, thereplacement management information is updated. The update is performedby adding replacement management information to the TDMA.

Thus, the DMA is not used until the disc 1 is finalized, and replacementmanagement is performed using the TDMA. In the write-one disc accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, recording is not allowedafter finalization processing has been performed. The newest replacementmanagement information recorded in the TDMA at the time of thefinalization processing is recorded in the DMA, and thereafter thereplacement management using the DMA is enabled.

Information contents to be recorded in the DMA (and TDMA) will bedescribed in detail below.

The buffer in the information area INFO 1 serves to separate the controldata 1 and the data zone. The buffer in the information area INFO 2serves to separate the control data 2 and the test write area OPC 0.

After the optimum recording/reproduction conditions are detected, thedrive area in the information area INFO 1 is used forrecording/reproducing the conditions as data.

The pre-write area in the information area INFO 1 is used for adjustmentof focus and spherical aberration which is performed by the disc driveapparatus.

For example, when data is recorded on the recording layer for the firsttime, or when a disc having no data recorded thereon is inserted into adrive, data used for adjustment processing is recorded in the pre-writearea. Thus, in recording/reproduction performed the subsequent time, thefocus or spherical aberration can be precisely adjusted while the dataused for adjustment is being reproduced. With this arrangement,adjustment of focus and spherical aberration for recording/reproductioncan be performed in a short time. Hereinafter, the data used for theadjustment is referred to as adjustment data.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an example of a disc layout of the two-layerdisc is illustrated.

The first recording layer L0 of the two-layer disc has a disc layoutsimilar to that of the one-layer disc illustrated in FIG. 2. However,the area corresponding to the lead-out zone of the one-layer disc doesnot serve as the lead-out indicative of the end ofrecording/reproduction, and thus is used as an outer zone 0.

The second recording layer L1 of the two-layer disc is composed of anouter zone 1, a data zone, and a lead-out zone which are arranged inthat order from the outer circumference side to the inner circumferenceside of the disc 1.

In this case, the lead-out zone is allocated to a region inside theradius of 24 mm of the disc 1. A BCA indicated by shading is allocatedto a region ranging from the radius of 21 mm to the radius of 22.2 mm, apre-recorded information area PR is allocated to a region ranging fromthe radius of 22.2 mm to the radius of 23.1 mm, and a management/controlinformation area is allocated to a region ranging from the radius of23.1 mm to the radius of 24 mm.

The data zone is allocated to a region ranging from the radius of 24 mmto the radius of 58 mm of the disc 1, and the outer zone is allocated toa region ranging from the radius of 58 mm to the radius of 58.5 mm ofthe disc 1.

In this case, an area corresponding to the BCA is provided on the secondrecording layer L1. However, a unique ID is not recorded in this area.

This is because there may be a case where damage is present in thecorresponding are (shaded area) of the second recording layer L1 whichis disposed at the same position as the BCA of the first recording layerL0 along the thickness direction when bar-code data is recorded in aradial direction using a recording technique in which the recordinglayer is burned with a high-output laser. In this case, even if BCAinformation such as a unique ID is newly recorded on the secondrecording layer L1, reliability of recording may not be ensured. Inother words, the reliability of the BCA in the first recording layer L0can be enhanced by not performing recording of BCA information on thesecond recording layer L1.

On the other hand, identical information is recorded in both of thepre-recorded information areas PRs of the first recording layer L0 andthe second recording layer L1, so that the reliability of managementinformation can be enhanced and so that accessibility can be increasedfor every recording layer.

In the data zones of the first recording layer L0 and the secondrecording layer L1, inner spare areas ISA 0 and ISA 1 are set at theinner circumference ends of the user data, and outer spare areas OSA 0and OSA 1 are set at the outer circumference ends of the user data,respectively. Each of these areas serves as a spare area for replacingfor a section (sector, cluster) in which data has failed to be recordedor from which data has failed to be reproduced due to the presence of adefect or the like. Note that these spare areas may not be set when, forexample, real-time recording with a high transfer rate such as videorecording is performed.

The outer zones are used as buffer areas in case of an overrun whichoccurs during a seek operation. In addition, a DMA may be provided inthe outer zone so that replacement management information is recorded orreproduced.

In the first recording layer L0 of the two-layer disc, addresses aresequentially recorded from the inner circumference side to the outercircumference side, and recording/reproduction is performed from theinner circumference side to the outer circumference side.

In the second recording layer L1, addresses are sequentially recordedfrom the outer circumference side to the inner circumference side, andrecording/reproduction is performed from the outer circumference side tothe inner circumference side.

Recording/reproduction is performed from the inner circumference side tothe outer circumference side in the first recording layer L0, andrecording/reproduction is performed the outer circumference side to theinner circumference side in the second recording layer L1. With thisarrangement, when recording/reproduction is completed at the outercircumference end of the first recording layer L0, therecording/reproduction can be continued from the outer circumference endof the second recording layer L1.

This indicates that recording/reproduction can be continued without afull seek operation from the outer circumference to the innercircumference for transitioning from the first recording layer L0 to thesecond recording layer L1. This arrangement permits a long-timeoperation of real-time recording with a high transfer rate such as videorecording.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, area structures of the first recording layer L0 andthe second recording layer L1 are illustrated, respectively, in the samemanner as FIG. 4.

The area structure of the first recording layer L0 of the two-layer discillustrated in FIG. 6 is generally the same as that of the one-layerdisc illustrated in FIG. 4. However, the outermost circumference part ofthe first recording layer L0 of the two-layer disc does not serve as thelead-out zone but as the outer zone 0. The recording/reproduction isperformed from the inner circumference side to the outer circumferenceside as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6.

In the two-layer disc, the area structure of the second recording layerL1 illustrated in FIG. 7 is generally the same as that of the firstrecording layer L0. However, the innermost circumference part serves asthe lead-out zone. Thus, an information area INFO 2, a test write areaOPC 1, a TDMA 1, and an information area INFO 1 are arranged in thatorder from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side.The recording/reproduction direction is the radially inward direction asindicated by an arrow in FIG. 7.

As can be seen from the FIGS. 6 and 7, a pre-write area is provided ineach of the information areas INFO is of the first recording layer L0and the second recording layer L1.

Referring to FIG. 8, an example of a disc layout of the N-layer disc(i.e., a disc having three or more recording layers, in this embodiment)is illustrated.

A first recording layer L0 of the N-layer disc has generally the samedisc layout as the one-layer disc and the two-layer disc. However, aregion on the first recording layer L0 of the N-layer disc whichcorresponds to the lead-out zone on the first recording layer L0 of theone-layer disc serves as an outer zone 0.

The disc layout of the second recording layer L1 of the N-layer disc isgenerally the same as that of the second recording layer L1 of thetwo-layer disc. However, the innermost circumference part on the secondrecording layer L1 of the N-layer disc which corresponds to the lead-outzone on the second recording layer L1 of the two-layer disc serves as aninner zone 1, since recording/reproduction is not terminated at thispart.

In the N-layer disc, the layout of an Nth recording layer L(N−1) isgenerally the same as that of the second recording layer L1. Informationsuch as a unique ID is not recorded in the area of the Nth recordinglayer L(N−1) which corresponds to the BCA of the first recording layerL0, for the same reason as in the case of the second recording layer L1.

On the other hand, identical information is recorded on the pre-recordedinformation areas PRs of the first recording layer L0 to the Nthrecording layer L(N−1), so that the reliability of managementinformation can be enhanced and accessibility can be increased for everyrecording layer.

In the data zones of the first recording layer L0 to the Nth recordinglayer L(N−1), inner spare areas ISA 0 to ISA (N−1) are set to the innercircumference ends of the user data, and outer spare areas OSA 0 to OSA(N−1) are set to the outer circumference ends of the user data,respectively. Each of these areas serves as a spare area for replacing asection (sector, cluster) on which data is failed to be recorded or fromwhich data is failed to be reproduced due to the presence of a defect orthe like. Note that these spare areas may not be set when, for example,real-time recording with a high transfer rata such as video recording isperformed.

When “N” is an odd number, an inner zone is provided at the innercircumference side of the Nth recording layer L(N−1), and a lead-outzone is provided at the outer circumference side of the Nth recordinglayer L(N−1).

In this case, addresses are sequentially recorded from the innercircumference side to the outer circumference side, andrecording/reproduction is performed from the inner circumference side tothe outer circumference side.

When “N” is an even number, the lead-out zone is provided at the innercircumference side of the Nth recording layer L(N−1), and an outer-zoneis provided at the outer circumference of the Nth recording layerL(N−1).

In this case, the addresses are sequentially recorded from the outercircumference side to the inner circumference side, andrecording/reproduction is performed from the outer circumference side tothe inner circumference side.

With this arrangement, a full seek operation from the outercircumference to the inner circumference is not necessary, as in thecase of the two-layer disc. Thus, recording/reproduction cansequentially and continuously be performed from the inner circumferenceto the outer circumference (L0), from the outer circumference to theinner circumference (L1), . . . , and then, from the inner circumference(when N is an odd number, i.e., the outer circumference when N is aneven number) to the outer circumference (when N is an odd number, i.e.,the inner circumference when N is an even number) (L(N−1)). Thisarrangement permits a long-time operation of real-time recording with ahigh transfer rate such as video recording.

A management/control information area is provided in the inner zone orthe lead-out zone allocated at the inner circumference side of each ofthe third to Nth recording layers, similarly to the first recordinglayer L0 and the second recording layer L1. The management/controlinformation area can also include an information area INFO 2, a testwrite area OPC, a TDMA, and an information area INFO 1.

The outer zone or the lead-out zone allocated to the outer circumferenceside of each of the third to Nth recording layers is used as a bufferarea, and may also be provided with a DMA so that replacement managementinformation is recorded or reproduced.

Replacement management information intended for every recording layer isto be recorded in each DMA provided at the inner circumference side andthe outer circumference side. That is, identical information is to berecorded in all of the DMAs.

All of the replacement management information recorded in the individualrecording layers can be uniformly handled by recording the replacementmanagement information of the first to Nth recording layers in any ofthe DMAs (i.e., DMA 1 and DMA 2) provided in each of the first to Nthrecording layers.

In addition, in the case of the N-layer disc, the management/controlinformation area is disposed on every recording layer. A pre-write areais provided in the information area INFO 1 in each of themanagement/control information areas, which is not illustrated in thedrawings. Thus, the pre-write area, which is used for adjusting focusand spherical aberration, is prepared in every recording layer.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate spiral directions of groove tracks inrecording layers.

The groove track of the one-layer disc, when viewed from the side fromwhich the optical beam is incident (i.e., the cover layer CVL side),spirally extends counterclockwise from the inner circumference to theouter circumference, as shown in FIG. 9A.

In the two-layer disc, as in the case of the one-layer disc, the groovetrack on the first recording layer L0 spirally extends counterclockwisefrom the inner circumference to the outer circumference.

On the other hand, the groove track on the second recording layer L1,when viewed form the side from which the optical beam is incident (i.e.,the cover layer CVL side), spirally extends counterclockwise from theouter circumference to the inner circumference, as shown in FIG. 9B.

In the case of the N-layer disc, the groove track on each of theodd-numbered layers (the first recording layer L0, the third recordinglayer L2, etc.) spirally extends counterclockwise from the innercircumference to the outer circumference, as shown in FIG. 9A, similarlyto the one-layer disc.

On the other hand, the groove track on each of the even-numbered layers(the second recording layer L1, the fourth recording layer L3, etc.)spirally extends counterclockwise from the outer circumference to theinner circumference, as shown in FIG. 9B.

With this groove track structure as described above,recording/reproduction can be performed on every recording layer withthe same disc rotation direction.

Specifically, recording/reproduction can sequentially and continuouslybe performed from the inner circumference to the outer circumference(L0), from the outer circumference to the inner circumference (L1), andthen, from the inner circumference (when N is an odd number, i.e., theouter circumference when N is an even number) to the outer circumference(when N is an odd number, i.e., the inner circumference when N is aneven number) (L(N−1)). This arrangement is preferable in real-timerecording with a high transfer rate such as video recording.

Regarding one recording layer, the recording/reproduction capacity of adisc of 12 cm in diameter is approximately 23.3 GB, when the disc has atrack pitch of 0.32 μm and a linear density of 0.12 μm/bit, and a formatefficiency of 82% with a recording/reproduction unit of a 64 KB datablock, as described above.

This indicates that 355603 clusters are provided in the data zone.

Address information is represented by a 3-bit layer address and a 19-bitlayer internal address (a RUB address).

In an odd-numbered recording layer, when two address bits are allocatedin one cluster, the 19-bit RUB address of the data zone is “020000h” atthe radius of 24 mm of the disc 1, and “17b44ch” at the radius of 58 mmof the disc 1 (h represents hexadecimal).

Addresses in an even-numbered recording layer are expressed by thecomplements of the addresses in the odd-numbered recording layer.

Thus, the 19-bit RUB address of the data zone of an even-numberedrecording layer is “084bb3h” at the radius of 58 mm of the disc 1, and“1dffffh” at the radius of 24 mm of the disc 1.

Specifically, the addresses are sequentially ordered from the innercircumference to the outer circumference in each odd-numbered recordinglayer and sequentially ordered from the outer circumference to the innercircumference in each even-numbered recording layer.

The addresses in each even-numbered recording layer are obtained bycomplementing the address in each odd-numbered recording layer. Thisarrangement allows the RUB addresses to be expressed using the samenumber of bits in every recording layer and provides a positionalrelationship between an address in each odd-numbered recording layer andan address in each even-numbered recording layer in terms of the radiusof the disc.

[3. DMA]

An example of a structure of a DMA for recording replacement managementinformation is illustrated in FIG. 10.

In this example, the size of the DMA is assumed to be 32 clusters.However, the size of the DMA is not limited to being 32 clusters.

One cluster is composed of 65536 bytes which is employed as the minimumunit for recording. A unit called a sector (or data frame) is composedof 2048 bytes. Thus, one cluster is composed of 32 sectors (or 32 dataframes). The sector and the data frame are the same in terms of the sizeof user data contained therein. However, the sector is a physical dataunit, and the data frame is a logical data unit.

The addresses are allocated in units of sectors. In this embodiment, aphysical sector address is referred to as a physical sector number (PSN)and a logical sector address is referred to as a logical sector number(LSN).

In FIG. 10, a cluster number is assigned to each of the 32 clusters(cluster numbers 1 to 32) so that a data position corresponding to eachcontent in the DMA is indicated. The size of each content is representedby the number of clusters.

In the DMA, a section composed of four clusters (cluster numbers 1 to 4)has recorded therein detailed information on a disc as a disc definitionstructure (DDS).

Contents of this DDS will be described with reference to FIG. 11 below.The DDS has a size of one cluster, and recording of the DDS is repeatedfour times in the four-cluster section.

A four-cluster section (cluster numbers 5 to 8) is used as a firstrecording area of a defect list DFL (DFL #1). The defect list DFL isconstituted by data having a size of four clusters in which eachreplacement address information (a DFL entry described below) is listed.

A four-cluster section (cluster numbers 9 to 12) is a second DFLrecording area (DFL #2).

Likewise, a third DFL recording area (DFL #3) to a seventh DFL recordingarea (DFL #7) are provided each of which is composed of four clusters.Thus, the DFL #7 are composed of clusters having the cluster numbers 29to 32.

Thus, seven DFL recording areas (DFL #1 to DFL #7) are prepared in the32-cluster DMA.

In order to write contents of such a DMA to a write-once optical discsuch as the disc 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention,finalization processing has to be performed. Thus, it is configured suchthat the individual DFLs #1 to #7 have the same contents with a view toachieving compatibility. A structure of the defect list DFL will bedescribed below.

Referring to FIG. 11, contents of a DDS to be recorded in the head ofthe DMA illustrated in FIG. 10.

As described above, the DDS has a size of one cluster (65536 bytes).

In FIG. 11, the leading byte of the 65536-byte DDS is expressed as byte0 such that each byte position is indicated. “Number of bytes” in thefigure indicates a size of each data content.

A DDS identifier “DS” serving as an indication of a DDS cluster isrecorded in the first two bytes represented by byte positions 0 to 2shown in FIG. 11.

A format version of the DDS is recorded in one byte represented by byteposition 2.

A DDS update count indicating the number of DDS updates is recorded infour byte represented by byte positions 4 to 7. As described above, theDMA is not updated, but replacement management information is written tothe DMA when finalization processing is performed. Thus, recording ofthe replacement management information is performed using the TDMA untilthe finalization processing is performed. Accordingly, the number ofupdates performed on a DDS written to the TDMA (a temporary DDS (TDDS))is recorded in the bytes represented by the byte positions when thefinalization processing is performed.

A first PSN of the drive area is recorded in four bytes represented bybyte positions 16 to 19.

A first PSN of the defect list DFL in the DMA is recorded in four bytesrepresented by byte positions 24 to 27.

In four bytes represented by byte positions 32 to 35, the head positionof the user data area in the data zone, i.e., the position of LSN “0”,is indicated using a PSN.

In four bytes represented by byte positions 36 to 39 the end position ofthe user data area in the data zone is indicated using an LSN.

The size of the ISA in the data zone is recorded in four bytesrepresented by byte positions 40 to 43.

The size of the OSA in data zone is recorded in four bytes representedby byte positions 44 to 47.

A spare area full flag indicating whether or not data writing can beexecuted using the ISA, OSA is set in one byte represented by byteposition 52. The spare area full flag serves to indicate that all of theISA or OSA is used.

A pre-write area flag is provided in one byte represented by byteposition 56.

A structure of this one-byte pre-write area flag is illustrated in FIG.12. Bit 0 to bit 7 in the one byte correspond to layer addresses 0 to 7,i.e., the first recording layer L0 to the eighth recording layer L7. Abit value “0” or “1” is assigned to represent whether or not data usedfor adjustment (adjustment data) has been recorded in the pre-write areaof the corresponding recording layer. For example, the bit value “0”indicates that no data has been recorded in the pre-write area, and thebit value “1” indicates that the adjustment data has been recorded inthe pre-write area.

As shown in FIG. 12, the value of bit 0 indicates that the adjustmentdata has been recorded in the pre-write area in the management/controlinformation area of the first recording layer L0.

Likewise, the values of bit 1 to bit 8 represent whether or not theadjustment data has been recorded in the individual pre-write areas ofthe second recording layer L1 to the eighth recording layer L7,respectively.

Now, a structure of the defect list DFL will be described with referenceto FIG. 13.

In the figure, cluster number and data frame number indicate a clusternumber in the DFL and a sector unit of 2048 bytes, respectively. “Byteposition in data frame” refers to a byte position in each data frame.

In the DFL, a DFL header for recording management information of the DFLis allocated at byte positions 0 to 63.

This DFL header includes information indicative of a DFL cluster, aversion, the number of DFL updates, the number of entries of DFLinformation blocks, etc.

A list of defects, which is composed of a plurality of informationblocks, is provided at byte positions 64 and the subsequent bytepositions. The size of each information block is 8 bytes. Thus, whenthere is N information blocks, the size of the list of defects is N×8bytes.

One information block serves as one piece of replacement information,i.e., the DFL entry mentioned above.

This DFL entry refers to replacement information for a defective sectionand can also serve as replacement information used when data rewritingis performed through replacement processing.

The list of defects is composed of a plurality of DFL entries. The totalnumber of the DFL entries in a one-layer disc is 32759 at maximum.

A temporary defect list terminator indicating the end of the list ofdefects is recorded in eight bytes subsequent to the list of defects.The remaining bytes in the cluster are filled with zeros.

A structure of the 8-byte DFL entry as an information block isillustrated in FIG. 14.

Out of the 8 bytes (64 bits) of the DFL entry, four bits (b63 to b60)are used for Status 1 which indicates information on a type of the DFLentry. For example, Status 1 indicates whether the entry serves asnormal replacement information or as a defect cluster which is notintended for replacement.

28 bits (b59 to b32) of the 8-byte DFL entry are used for the address ofa cluster to be replaced (original cluster first PSN).

Four bits (b31 to b28) are used for Status 2.

28 bits (b27 to b0) are used for the address of a cluster that willreplace the cluster to be replaced (replacement cluster first PSN).

Normally, replacement processing for one cluster is represented by theaddress of the cluster to be replaced (original cluster) and the addressof the cluster that will replace the cluster to be replaced (replacementcluster) which are recorded in the DFL entry. Specifically, replacementprocessing based on defect detection or replacement processing for datarewriting is indicated. The first PSN of the replacement clusternormally designates an address in the spare areas ISA or OSA.

The replacement management information is recorded in the DMA byemploying such data structure described above. As described above, suchreplacement management information is not recorded in the DMA untilfinalization processing is performed on the disc 1. Before thefinalization processing, the replacement management information is addedto the TDMA so as to be updated. Then the newest replacement managementinformation recorded in the TDMA is written to the DMA at the time ofthe finalization processing.

[4. Structure of Disc Drive Apparatus]

Referring now to FIG. 15, a structure of a disc drive apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.The disc drive apparatus performs recording/reproduction using the disc1 described above.

The disc 1 is mounted on a turntable (not shown) and driven by a spindlemotor 52 so as to rotate at a constant linear velocity (CVL) during arecording/reproduction operation.

ADIP information recorded as a wobble of the groove track on the disc 1is read using an optical pickup (an optical head) 51.

In recording, user data is recorded as, for example, dye-change pits onthe track by the optical pickup 51. In reproduction, the recordeddye-change pits are read by the optical pickup 51.

The optical pickup 51 includes a laser diode serving as a laser lightsource, a photodetector for detecting reflected light, and an objectivelens serving to irradiate laser light onto the disc 1. The opticalpickup 51 also includes an optical system for irradiating the laserlight onto a recording surface of the disc 1 through the objective lens,and guiding reflected light to the photodetector, which will bedescribed below.

The laser diode generates a so-called blue laser with a wavelength of405 nm. The optical system has an NA (numerical aperture) of 0.85.

In the optical pickup 51, the objective lens is supported by a biaxialmechanism so as to be movable in the tracking direction and the focusdirection.

A sled mechanism 53 permits the entire optical pickup 51 to move in thedisc radial direction.

The laser diode is driven by a drive signal (drive current) fed from alaser driver 63 so as to provide laser emission.

The optical pickup 51 is also provided with a mechanism for correctingspherical aberration of laser light. Adjustment of the sphericalaberration is carried out by control performed a system controller 60and a servo circuit 61.

Information on light reflected from the disc 1 is detected by thephotodetector and then converted into an electric signal based on theintensity of the detected light. The electric signal is supplied to amatrix circuit 54.

The matrix circuit 54 is provided with a current-voltage conversioncircuit and a matrix calculation/amplification circuit for processingoutput currents from a plurality of light-receiving elementsconstituting the photodetector, so as to generate a signal necessary formatrix processing.

The matrix circuit 54 generates, for example, a high frequency signal(also referred to as a reproduction data signal or an RF signal)corresponding to reproduction data, a focus error signal, and a trackingerror signal for servo control.

The matrix circuit 54 also generates a push-pull signal associated withwobbling of the groove track for detecting the wobbling.

The reproduction data signal output from the matrix circuit 54 issupplied to a reader/writer circuit 55. The focus error signal and thetracking error signal are supplied to the servo circuit 61, and thepush-pull signal is supplied to a wobble circuit 58.

The reader/writer circuit 55 performs binarization processing on thereproduction signal and reproduction clock generation processing using aPLL. Then, the reader/writer 55 reproduced data read as dye-change pitsand supplies the read data to a modulation/demodulation circuit 56.

The modulation/demodulation circuit 56 has a functional block serving asa decoder for reproduction and a functional block serving as an encoderfor recording.

In reproduction, the modulation/demodulation circuit 56 performsdecoding processing on a run-length limited code on the basis of areproduction clock.

An ECC encoder/decoder 57 performs ECC encoding processing for adding anerror correction code in recording and performs ECC decoding processingfor carrying out error correction in reproduction.

During reproduction, the ECC encoder/decoder 57 stores data demodulatedby the modulation/demodulation circuit 56 in an internal memory so as toperform error detection/correction processing, deinterleavingprocessing, etc., thereby obtaining reproduction data.

The reproduction data obtained through the decoding processing performedby the ECC encoder/decoder 57 is read on the basis of control performedby the system controller 60 and is transferred to an AV (Audio-Visual)system 120.

The push-pull signal associated with the wobbling of the groove isoutput from the matrix circuit 54 and then processed in the wobblecircuit 58. The push-pull signal as ADIP information is demodulated intoa data stream which forms an ADIP address, and the data stream issupplied to an address decoder 59.

The address decoder 59 performs decoding processing on the supplied dataso as to obtain an address value. The address decoder 59 then suppliesthe address values to the system controller 60.

The address decoder 59 generates a clock through PLL processing using awobble signal supplied from the wobble circuit 58, and provides theclock as an encode clock for recording to components of the disc driveapparatus.

In recording, recording data is provided from the AV system 120. Therecording data is transferred to the internal memory of the ECCencoder/decoder 57 so as to be buffered.

At this time, the ECC encoder/decoder 57 performs encoding processing onthe buffered recording data, such as addition of an error correctioncode, an interleaving code, a subcode, etc.

Such ECC-encoded data undergoes RLL(1-7)pp modulation in themodulation/demodulation circuit 56 and the modulated data is supplied tothe reader/writer circuit 55.

The encode clock generated from the wobble signal, as described above,serves as a reference clock used for these encoding processing performedin recording.

The recording data generated through the encoding processing undergoesrecording compensation processing in the reader/writer circuit 55, suchas fine adjustment of the characteristics of recording layers, the shapeof a laser spot of laser light, recording linear density, etc., andadjustment of a laser drive pulse waveform. Then, the recording data istransferred to the laser driver 63 as a laser drive pulse.

The laser driver 63 provides the laser drive pulse fed from thereader/writer circuit 55 to the laser diode in the optical pickup 51 soas to drive light emission of the laser diode. Thus, information pits(for example, dye-change pits) corresponding to the recording data areformed on the disc 1.

In addition, the laser drive 63 is provided with a so-called APC (AutoPower Control) circuit for controlling laser output to be constantregardless of temperature or the like. This laser output control isperformed by monitoring the power of the laser output using output of adetector for laser power monitoring which is provided in the opticalpickup 51.

Target values of laser output for recording and reproduction (recordinglaser power and reproduction laser power) are provided from the systemcontroller 60. During recording/reproduction, the system controller 60controls a laser output level to be the set target value.

The servo circuit 61 generates various servo drive signals for executinga servo operation, from the focus error signal and tracking error signalreceived from the matrix circuit 54. Such servo drive signals include afocus drive signal, a tracking drive signal, and a sled drive signal.

Specifically, the servo circuit 61 generates the focus drive signal andtracking drive signal in accordance with the focus error signal and thetracking error signal, so as to drive a focus coil and a tracking coilof the biaxial mechanism in the optical pickup 51. Thus, a focus servoloop and a tracking servo loop are constituted by the optical pickup 51,the matrix circuit 54, the servo circuit 61, and the biaxial mechanism.

Further, the servo circuit 61 turns off the tracking servo loop inresponse to a track-jump command sent from the system controller 60 andoutputs a jump-drive signal so as to perform a track-jump operation.

The servo circuit 61 also generates a sled drive signal for driving thesled mechanism 53, on the basis of a sled error signal obtained as a lowfrequency component of the tracking error signal and on the basis ofaccess execution control performed by the system controller 60. The sledmechanism 53 includes a main shaft that holds the optical pickup 51, asled motor, a transmission gear, etc., although these parts are notshown. The sled mechanism 53 drives the sled motor in accordance withthe sled drive signal such that intended slide movement of the opticalpickup 51 is achieved.

A spindle servo circuit 62 performs control of CLV rotation of thespindle motor 52, for example.

The spindle servo circuit 62 obtains current information on an angularvelocity of the spindle motor 52 from a received clock which isgenerated through the PLL processing for the wobble signal. The spindleservo circuit 62 then compares the obtained angular velocity informationwith predetermined reference CLV information, thereby generating aspindle error signal.

In data reproduction, a reproduction clock generated through a PLL inthe reader/writer circuit 55 (a reference clock for decoding processing)serves as current angular velocity information of the spindle motor 52.Therefore, the spindle servo circuit 62 can also generate a spindleerror signal by comparing this angular velocity information with thepredetermined reference CLV information.

Further, the spindle servo circuit 62 outputs a spindle drive signalgenerated in accordance with the spindle error signal so as to activatethe CLV rotation of the spindle motor 62.

The spindle servo circuit 62 also generates a spindle drive signal onthe basis of a spindle kick/brake control signal from the systemcontroller 60, so as to drive start, stop, acceleration, or decelerationof the spindle motor 52.

The various operations of the servo system and therecording/reproduction system described above are controlled by thesystem controller 60 which is constituted by a microcomputer.

The system controller 60 the various operations in accordance with acommand provided by the AV system 120.

In response to a write command, for example, sent from the AV system120, the system controller 60 first moves the optical pickup 51 to aposition corresponding to an address to which data is to be written.Then, the system controller 60 causes the ECC encoder/decoder 57 and themodulation/demodulation circuit 56 to perform the encode processingdescribed above on data transferred from the AV system 120. The datafrom the AV system 120 includes, for example, video data and audio dataaccording to various standards such as the MPEG standard. Then, thereader/writer circuit 55 supplies a laser drive pulse to the laserdriver 63 so that recording is carried out, as described above.

When a read command instructing transfer of data such as MPEG video datarecorded on the disc 1 is provided from the AV system 120, the systemcontroller performs control of a seek operation in which a targetaddress is sought. Specifically, the system controller 60 instructs theservo circuit 61 to execute an access operation of the optical pickup 51for accessing the data corresponding to the target address instructed bya seek command.

Then, the system controller 60 performs operation control necessary fortransferring the data in the designated address to the AV system 120.Specifically, the system controller 60 controls the reader/writercircuit 55, the modulation/demodulation circuit 56, and the ECCencoder/decoder 57 to perform processing such as decoding/buffering onthe data read form the disc 1. Then, the system controller 60 transfersthe processed data to the AV system 120.

When such data recording and data reproduction as described above areperformed, the system controller 60 controls access andrecording/reproduction operations using an ADIP address detected by thewobble circuit 58 and the address decoder 59.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 15, the disc drive apparatus isconnected to the AV system 120. The present invention is not limited tothis example, and the disc drive apparatus may be connected to apersonal computer, for example.

Further, the disc drive apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may not necessarily be connected to another apparatus.In this case, the disc drive apparatus has a different interfaceconfiguration for data input/output. For example, the disc driveapparatus is provided with an operation unit, display unit, or the like.That is, it is necessary that recording or reproduction can be performedin accordance with a user operation and terminal unit is provided forinput/output of various data.

A variety of other configurations of the disc drive apparatus isapplicable to the present invention. For example, the disc driveapparatus can be a recording-only apparatus or a reproduction-onlyapparatus.

Now, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting spherical aberration will bedescribed.

The spherical aberration adjustment mechanism in the optical pickup 51will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17A, and 17B. Each ofFIGS. 16 to 17A illustrates the optical system of the optical pickup 51.

In FIG. 16, laser light output from a semiconductor laser (laser diode)81 is collimated by a collimating lens 82 and transmitted through a beamsplitter 83. The laser light further travels through an expander lens 87used for spherical aberration adjustment and an objective lens 84, andthen irradiates the disc 1.

Reflected light from the disc 1 is transmitted through the objectivelens 84 and the expander lens 87, reflected on a beam splitter 83, andincident on a detector 86 through a converging lens 85.

The objective lens 84 is supported by a biaxial mechanism 91 so as to bemovable in the focus direction and the tracking direction. With thisconfiguration, a focus servo operation and a tracking servo operationcan be performed.

The expander lens 87 is capable of variably changing a diameter of laserlight. Specifically, the expander lens 87 can be moved by an actuator 90in the optical axis direction (direction J in FIG. 16). The movement ofthe expander lens 87 causes the distance between the expander lens 87and the objective lens 84 to be changed, and thus the diameter of thelaser light to be irradiated onto the disc 1 can be adjusted.

That is, adjustment of spherical aberration can be achieved bycontrolling the actuator 90 to move the expander lens 87 forward andbackward (optical axis direction).

FIG. 17A illustrates an optical system similar to that illustrated inFIG. 16. However, the optical system in FIG. 17A uses a liquid crystalpanel 89 instead of the expander lens 87.

Specifically, in the liquid crystal panel 89 a portion for passingthrough the laser light and a portion for shielding the laser light areset. A boundary of these portions is adjusted as illustrated by a solidline, a broken line, and a dotted-chain line in FIG. 17B, so that thediameter of the laser light can be changed.

In this case, adjustment of spherical aberration can be carried out bycontrolling a liquid crystal driver 92 for driving the liquid crystalpanel 89 to change the passing-through portion.

FIG. 18 illustrates components of the servo circuit 61 shown in FIG. 15that constitute the focus servo loop and tracking servo loop describedabove and components that are associated with setting of an adjustmentvalue for spherical aberration.

A focus error signal FE and a tracking error signal TE are convertedinto digital data by analog/digital (A/D) converters 11 and 21,respectively, of the servo circuit 61, and then input to a DSP (DigitalSignal Processor) 10.

The DSP 10 is provided with a focus servo processing unit 12 and atracking servo processing unit 22.

The focus error signal FE output from the A/D converter 11 is input tothe focus servo processing unit 12 through an adder 15.

The focus servo processing unit 12 performs predetermined processing onthe focus error signal FE, such as filtering including phasecompensation filtering and loop gain processing, so as to generate afocus servo signal. The focus servo signal is sent to a digital/analog(D/A) converter 13 so as to undergo D/A conversion (including PWM, PDM,etc.). The analog signal is then input to a focus driver 14 for drivinga focus actuator. Specifically, an electric current is applied to afocus coil of the biaxial mechanism 91 that holds the objective lens 84in the optical pickup 51 so that a focus servo operation is executed.

The tracking servo processing unit 22 performs predetermined processingon the tracking error signal TE input as digital data, such as filteringincluding phase compensation filtering and loop gain processing, so asto generate a tracking servo signal. The tracking servo signal isconverted into an analog signal in a D/A converter 23 (including PWM,PDM, etc.) and then input to a tracking driver 24 for driving a trackingactuator. Specifically, an electric current is applied to a trackingcoil of the biaxial mechanism 91 that holds the objective lens 84 in theoptical pickup 51, so that a tracking servo operation is executed.

The DSP 10 includes functional components for setting a focus bias aspherical aberration adjustment value, and a functional component forcontrolling the setting of the focus bias and the spherical aberration.

The adder 15 adds a focus bias to the focus error signal FE. A focusbias value to be added is set in a focus bias setting unit 16. Thisfocus bias value is set through adjustment processing described belowand output by the focus bias setting unit 16. With this arrangement, anappropriate focus bias is applied to the focus servo loop.

A spherical aberration adjustment value setting unit 20 sets anadjustment value for spherical aberration to be applied in the sphericalaberration adjustment mechanism. The set spherical aberration adjustmentvalue is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 25 andsupplied to a spherical aberration adjustment driver 26.

The spherical aberration adjustment driver 26, when applied in such aspherical aberration adjustment mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 16,serves as a circuit for supplying a drive signal Sd to the actuator 90that moves the expander lens 87. The spherical aberration adjustmentdriver 26, when applied in such a spherical aberration adjustmentmechanism as illustrated in FIG. 17, serves as a circuit for supplying asignal Sd to instruct the liquid crystal driver 92 to apply a voltage tointended cells of the liquid crystal panel 89.

Thus, the spherical aberration adjustment driver 26 drives the sphericalaberration adjustment mechanism in the optical pickup 51, on the basisof the spherical aberration adjustment value provided by the sphericalaberration adjustment value setting unit 20.

A non-volatile memory 18 stores initial values of a focus bias value anda spherical aberration adjustment value. The non-volatile memory 18 alsostores an adjustment value obtained through focus bias/sphericalaberration adjustment which will be described below, i.e., the optimumfocus bias value and spherical aberration adjustment value.

A setting control unit 17 sets a setting value applied in the focus biassetting unit 16 and a setting value applied in the spherical aberrationadjustment value setting unit 20. For example, the setting control unit17 sets the value stored in the non-volatile memory 18 and also changeseach set value in accordance with an instruction from the systemcontroller 60.

As described above, operations associated with the focus servocalculation unit 12, the track servo calculation unit 22, and adjustmentof focus bias/spherical aberration adjustment values are controlled bythe system controller 60.

In the disc drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, a jitter value or an amplitude value of reproduction data (RFamplitude value) are used as evaluation values for optimizing theadjustment of the focus bias and spherical aberration.

An example of a mechanism for obtaining these evaluation values isillustrated in FIG. 19.

An evaluation value can be obtained from a signal from the photodetector86 in the optical pickup 51 which is based on reflected light, i.e., asignal generated through processing of the matrix circuit 54. Since theevaluation value is to be obtained from a reproduction data signal (RFsignal) in this embodiment, the reader/writer circuit 55 can beconfigured as illustrated in FIG. 19, for example.

As shown in the figure, the reader/writer circuit 55 includes a lightwaveform generation unit 31, a binarization circuit 32, an RFreproduction processing unit 33, a PLL circuit 34, and an evaluationvalue calculation unit 35.

During recording, the light waveform generation unit 31 performsrecording compensation processing for recording data which have beenencoded by the modulation/demodulation circuit 56. The processingincludes fine adjustment of an optimum recording power and adjustment ofa laser drive pulse waveform, for recording layer characteristics, thesize of a laser spot, a recording linear velocity, etc. Then the lightpulse generation unit 31 sends a data signal which has undergone theseprocessing to the laser driver 63 as the laser drive pulse.

In reproduction, the reproduction data signal (RF signal) from thematrix circuit 54 is binarized by the binarization circuit 32. The PLLcircuit 34 generates a reproduction clock on the basis of the binarydata.

The binary data is processed in an RF reproduction processing unit 33 inaccordance with the reproduction clock and then sent to themodulation/demodulation circuit 56 as data read from dye-change pits,for example.

The evaluation value calculation unit 35 calculates a jitter value onthe basis of the processing of the RF reproduction processing unit 33.

Alternatively, the evaluation value calculation unit 35 calculates an RFamplitude value by detecting the peak and bottom of the reproductiondata signal (RF signal).

The evaluation value calculation unit 35 supplies the jitter value orthe RF amplitude value obtained as the evaluation value to the systemcontroller 60.

Adjustment of focus, i.e., a focus bias, is now described.

The system controller 60 turns on the focus servo so as to executereproduction of the pre-write are of the disc 1. At this time, thesystem controller 60 instructs the setting control unit 17 in the servocircuit 61 to gradually change the focus bias value and also monitorsjitter values obtained from the evaluation value calculation unit 35which correspond to the respective focus bias values.

The jitter value changes in accordance with the gradual change of thefocus bias value in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 20. The point atwhich the jitter value is minimized indicates the optimum focus biasvalue. Specifically, the system controller 60, while monitoring thechange of the jitter value by changing the focus bias value, changes thefocus bias value to a value that brings about a decrease in the jittervalue, thereby detecting the optimum focus bias value.

The focus bias value detected through the above operation which isperformed while the pre-write area on a recording layer is reproduced isstored in the non-volatile memory 18 as a focus adjustment value for therecording layer.

In stead of the jitter value, a data error rate or an index valuerepresenting an error rate such as an SAM evaluation value (SAM jitter)obtained in PRML demodulation processing can be used.

In the following, spherical aberration adjustment is described.

The spherical aberration adjustment is performed as adjustment of adistance between the expander lens 87 and the objective lens 84illustrated in FIG. 16. FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C schematically illustrateconverging states of laser light onto the recording layers L0, L1, andL2, respectively.

When recording/reproduction is performed, laser light is converged ontothe recording layer through the cover layer CLV of the disc 1. Forexample, in the case of the three-layer disc, the second recording layerL1, the third recording layer L2, and the middle layer therebetween areconsidered as cover layers of the first recording layer L0. Thus, it canbe said that the cover layer CVL on the first recording layer L0 isthick, and thickness of the cover layer CVL decrease as the number ofthe recording layers increases.

This variation of the thickness of the cover layer CLV from which thelaser light is incident brings about the necessity of adjustment ofspherical aberration for each recording layer.

The distance between the expander lens 87 and the objective lens 84 isadjusted by moving the expander lens 87. This results in a change in thediameter of the laser light and thus a change in the amount of sphericalaberration.

The effect of spherical aberration is reflected in the reproductionsignal amplitude, as illustrated in FIG. 21D. Thus, the systemcontroller 60 measures the reproduction signal amplitude provided by theevaluation value calculation unit 35 while changing the position of theexpander lens 87. Then, the system controller determines the position ofthe expander lens 87 at which the reproduction signal amplitude ismaximized.

When the spherical aberration adjustment mechanism illustrated in FIG.17A is employed, an optimum drive signal applied to the liquid crystalpanel 89 is obtained while the reproduction signal amplitude ismonitored.

The spherical aberration adjustment value (for example, the settingvalue of the position of the expander lens 87), which has been detectedthrough the operations performed during the reproduction of thepre-write area in the recording layer, is stored in the non-volatilememory 18 as the spherical aberration adjustment value for the recordinglayer.

As the evaluation value, a data error rate or a SAM evaluation value maybe used instead of a reproduction signal amplitude.

[5. Processing Performed When Disc is Mounted]

Referring to FIGS. 22 to 25, an operation of the disc drive apparatuswhich is performed when the disc 1 is mounted there on will bedescribed. FIGS. 22 to 25 are flowcharts illustrating a processingprocedure performed by the system controller 60.

When detecting that the disc 1 has been mounted on the disc driveapparatus at STEP F101, the system controller 60 executes bootprocessing for the disc 1, at STEP F102. Specifically, the systemcontroller 60 instructs the servo circuit 61, the spindle servo circuit62, and the laser drive 63 to execute operations such as rotation of thespindle motor 52, stabilization of spindle rotation, laser emission,focus search, turn-on of focus servo, and turn-on of the tracking servo.These operations enable reading of information from the disc 1. Then thesystem controller 60 executes reading information recorded in thelead-in area.

At STEP F103, the system controller 60 checks information in a DMA inthe information read from the lead-in area. As described above,replacement management information is recorded in the DMA when discfinalization processing is performed. Thus, the system controller 60determines if effective replacement management information has beenrecorded in the DMA at STEP F104. If the result of the determination ispositive, the system controller 60 determines that the mounted disc 1has already been finalized, at STEP F105.

On the other hand, if, in STEP F104, it is determined that effectivereplacement management information has not been recorded in the DMA, theprocessing procedure proceeds to STEP F106. At STEP F106, the systemcontroller 60 checks information in a TDMA in the information read fromthe lead-in area. Replacement management information is recorded for thefirst time in initialization processing. Thus, if it is determined thatno information has been recorded in the TDMA at STEP F107, the systemcontroller 60 determines that the mounted disc 1 has not beeninitialized, at STEP F108.

On the other hand, if, in STEP F107, it is determined that replacementmanagement information has been recorded at least one time, theprocessing procedure proceeds to STEP F109. At STEP F109, the systemcontroller 60 determines that the mounted disc 1 has been initializedbut not been finalized.

If, in STEP F108, it is determined that the disc 1, which has not beeninitialized (non-initialized disc), is mounted, the system controller 60determines whether or not initialization is performed, at STEP F120shown in FIG. 23. Whether or not initialization is performed when anon-initialized disc is mounted can be determined in advance as anoperation configuration of the disc drive apparatus, or can be selectedthrough mode setting or the like. It can also be configured such that auser is requested to determine whether or not to carry outinitialization in the processing of STEP F120.

If it is determined that initialization is not to be performed, theprocessing for the mounted disc 1 is terminated.

If it is determined that initialization is to be performed, the systemcontroller 60 checks PIC information in the pre-recorded area PR in thelead-in area which has already been read, at STEP F121. In thisprocessing, the system controller 60 checks suggested values forrecording conditions such as a recording laser power, etc.

Then, at STEP F122, the system controller 60 executes adjustment of therecording conditions such as a recording laser power and a writestrategy (laser pulse waveform), using the test write area OPC on thebasis of the suggested values. The system controller 60 executes writingof predetermined data in the test write area OPC. At the same time, thesystem controller 60 detects the optimum recording laser power and laserdrive pulse waveform while monitoring, for example, evaluation valuesprovided from the evaluation value calculation unit 35. Thus, therecording conditions are adjusted to be optimum.

Subsequently, at STEP F123, the system controller 60 determines whetheror not writing to the pre-write area is executed. This can be determinedin advance in initialization processing or can be selected as aninitialization scheme. This can also be determined by requesting theuser to select whether or not to perform the reading to the pre-writearea.

If, in STEP F123, it is determined that reading of the pre-write area isnot to be executed, the processing procedure proceeds to STEP F126. AtSTEP F126, the system controller 60 records initial replacementmanagement information in the TDMA and then terminates theinitialization processing. The DDS information to be recorded in theTDMA includes the pre-write flag (see, FIG. 11). For the above case,since writing to the pre-write area is not to be performed, the bitvalue of the pre-write flag is set to “0”.

When writing to the pre-write area is to be executed, the systemcontroller 60 executes writing of adjustment data of focus or sphericalaberration to the pre-write area. For example, the system controller 60generates data having a value of “00h”, for example, as adjustment dataand executes recording operations using reader/writer 55, the servocircuit 61, the spindle servo circuit 62, and the optical pickup 51 soas to write the adjustment data to the pre-write area.

At this time, when the disc 1 is an N-layer disc, the adjustment datacan be written to the pre-write areas of all recording layers. It isalso possible that the adjustment data is written to only the pre-writearea of the first recording layer L0 or the pre-write areas of some ofthe recording layers.

When the writing of the pre-write area is completed, the systemcontroller 60 records the initial replacement management information inthe TDMA, at STEP F125, and terminates the initialization processing. Inthis case, the bit value of the pre-write flag included in the DDSinformation recorded in the TDMA which corresponds to each of therecording layer having the adjustment data recorded therein is set “1”.

If, in STEP F109 in FIG. 22, the mounted disc 1 is determined to havebeen initialized, the processing procedure proceeds to STEP F131 in FIG.24.

Also in this case, the system controller 60 checks the PIC informationin the pre-recorded information area PR of the lead-in area, which hasalready read, so as to check suggested values of recording conditionssuch as a recording laser power, at STEP F131.

Then, at STEP F132, the system controller 60 determines whether or notadjustment data has been recorded in the pre-write area. In thisprocessing, the bit value of the pre-write flag included in the newestDDS information in the TDMA.

In this step, it can be determined from the value of the pre-write areathat the adjustment data has been recorded in the pre-write area, in thecase described above where the adjustment data is recorded in thepre-write area when initialization is performed. In this case, thesystem controller 60 executes adjustment of the focus or sphericalaberration, at STEP F133. Specifically, the system controller 60 detectsthe optimum focus bias value by gradually changing the focus bias valuewhile monitoring a corresponding jitter value provided from theevaluation value calculation unit 35. In addition, the system controller60 detects the optimum spherical aberration adjustment value bygradually changing the spherical aberration adjustment value whilemonitoring a corresponding reproduction signal amplitude provided by theevaluation value calculation unit 35.

In the above processing, it is also possible that the focus bias valueand the spherical aberration adjustment value are adjusted for only aspecific recording layer (e.g., the first recording layer L0) byreproducing the adjustment data in the pre-write area of the specificrecording layer. In addition, the focus bias value and the sphericalaberration adjustment can sequentially be adjusted for a plurality ofrecording layers.

When the adjustment of the focus bias value and spherical aberrationadjustment value is performed for only a specific recording layer, theadjustment is performed for the recording layer with whichrecording/reproduction is intended to be subsequently performed. In thiscase, the focus bias value and spherical aberration adjustment value areset to be optimum in the pre-write area of the intended recording layer.

When the adjustment of the focus bias value and spherical aberrationadjustment value is performed for all recording layers, first, thesevalues are adjusted while the pre-write area of the first recordinglayer L0, for example, is reproduced, and the adjusted values are storedin the non-volatile memory 18 as the optimum values for the firstrecording layer L0. Second, these values are adjusted while thepre-write area of the second recording layer L1 is reproduced, and theadjusted values are stored in the non-volatile memory 18 as the optimumvalues for the second recording layer L1. Likewise, the adjustmentprocessing is sequentially performed and the resultant optimum valuesare sequentially stored in the non-volatile memory 18. When theadjustment of these values are completed for every recording layer, thesystem controller 60 sets the optimum values that correspond to therecording layer with which recording/reproduction is intended to besubsequently performed.

Subsequently, at STEP F134, the system controller 60 executes adjustmentof recording conditions using the test write area OPC, on the basis ofthe suggested values of the recording conditions, which have alreadyread from the PIC information. For example, adjustment of a recordinglaser power and write strategy is performed at this time. Specifically,the system controller 60 executes writing of predetermined data to thetest write area OPC, and also detects the optimum recording laser powerand laser drive pulse waveform while monitoring evaluation values or thelike provided from the evaluation value calculation unit 35, forexample. Thus, the system controller 60 adjusts these recordingconditions to be optimum.

When the adjustment of the recording conditions is completed, the systemcontroller 60 enters a standby state, at STEP F140.

In STEP F132 described above, it is determined that no data has beenrecorded in the pre-write area, in such a case where writing to thepre-write area was not recorded in initialization processing, where theuser has selected an operation scheme for the disc drive apparatus, inwhich the writing to the pre-write area is not to be performed in theinitialization processing, or where the disc 1 has been initialized byanother disc drive apparatus configured not to perform writing to thepre-write area.

When it is determined that no data has been recorded in the pre-writearea in STEP F132, the system controller 60 executes adjustment ofrecording conditions using the test write area OPC, on the basis of thesuggested values of the recording conditions, which have already readfrom the PIC information.

At the same time adjustment of focus or spherical aberration is alsoperformed. That is, the adjustment of focus or spherical aberration isperformed using the test-write area OPC.

When these adjustment operations are completed, the system controller 60writes adjustment data to the pre-write area, at STEP F136. Also in thiscase, the writing to the pre-write area can be performed for all of therecording layers or for one or some of the recording layers.

When the writing to the pre-write area is completed, the systemcontroller 60 records new DDS information to the TDMA, at STEP F137. Thevalue of pre-write flag corresponding to the recording layer for whichthe writing to the pre-write area has been performed is set to “1”.

Then, at STEP F140, the system controller 60 enters a standby state.

After the system controller 60 enters the standby state,recording/reproduction is performed in accordance with a command fromthe AV system 120.

When receiving a reproduction instruction while in the standby state forrecording/reproduction, at STEP F141, the system controller 60 executesthe reproduction operation described above in accordance with thereproduction instruction and sends reproduction data to the AV system120, at STEP F142.

When receiving a recording instruction, at STEP F143, the systemcontroller 60 executes the recording operation described above inaccordance with the recording instruction so as to record datatransferred from the AV system 120 on the disc 1, at STEP F144. Inconjunction with the recording operation, update of information such asthe DDS information is necessary. Thus, the system controller 60 recordsnew DDS information in the TDMA, at STEP F145.

In a case where a transition from one recording layer to a subsequentrecording layer occurs during the recording or reproduction operation,the focus bias value and spherical aberration adjustment value areswitched to those for the subsequent recording layer. For example, theadjustment in the processing of STEP F133 in FIG. 24 has been performedfor all recording layers, the focus bias value and spherical aberrationadjustment value are switched to those for the subsequent recordinglayers which are stored in the non-volatile memory 18 as the optimumvalues, at the time when the transition occurs.

In the case where adjustment of the focus bias value and sphericalaberration adjustment value has not been performed for all recordinglayers in the processing of STEP F133, these values for the subsequentrecording layer are adjusted using the pre-write area of the subsequentrecording layer, at the time when the transition occurs.

As described using FIG. 24, in the case where no data has been recordedin the pre-write area, writing of pre-write area is performed at STEPF136. However, it is also possible, for example, that presence orabsence of written data in the pre-write area is determined when therecording instruction is provided in STEP F143. Then, if it isdetermined that no data is present in the pre-write area, writing topre-write area can be preformed at this time.

When receiving an instruction for finalizing the disc 1 from the AVsystem at STEP F146, the system controller 60 performs finalizationprocessing, at STEP F147. Specifically, the system controller 60 writesthe newest DMA information currently stored in the TDMA to the DMAs.Thus, the finalization processing is terminated, at STEP F148, andthereafter the disc 1 is used only for reproduction as a finalized disc.

Such a finalized disc is mounted on the disc drive apparatus, the discis determined to be a finalized disc in the processing of STEP F105 inFIG. 22.

In this case, the system controller 60 executes adjustment of the focusbias value and spherical aberration adjustment value using the pre-writearea, at STEP F110, and then enters to a reproduction standby state, atSTEP F110. Thereafter, the reproduction operation is performed inaccordance with a reproduction instruction.

As described above, in this embodiment, each recording layer of the disc1 has a pre-write area which serves as an adjustment recording area usedfor adjusting focus and spherical aberration. The disc drive apparatusperforms writing of adjustment data to the pre-write area in STEP F124when initialization is performed. Alternatively, if it is determinedthat the mounted disc 1 which has already been initialized and that nodata has been written to the pre-write area, writing of adjustment datato the pre-write area is performed before the disc drive apparatusenters a recording/reproduction standby state (STEP F136) or when therecording operation of STEP F144 is performed. Further, in response tothe writing to the pre-write area, the disc drive apparatus updates thepre-write flag which serves as determination information indicatingpresence or absence of adjustment data in the pre-write area (STEP F125,STEP F137).

By checking the pre-write flag during recording or reproduction, thedisc drive apparatus can immediately recognize whether or not theadjustment data has been recorded in the pre-write area in eachrecording layer. That is, it is not necessary for the disc driveapparatus to actually reproduce the pre-write area to determine presenceor absence of adjustment data.

Then, if it is determined that the adjustment data has been recorded inthe pre-write area, the disc drive apparatus can immediately performadjustment of focus or spherical aberration by reproducing the pre-writearea. Particularly, the adjustment of focus or spherical aberration canbe performed using the pre-write area, which is dedicated for focus andspherical aberration adjustment, independently of the adjustment ofrecording conditions such as a laser power. This reduces the time forcompleting the various adjustment operations.

Thus, adjustment of focus and spherical aberration can be performed in ashort time during recording/reproduction, which reduces the time elapsedfrom disc mounting to recording/reproduction standby (STEP 140).

Also in the case of the N-layer disc, since the pre-write area isprovided on each recording layer, adjustment of focus and sphericalaberration can be performed appropriately for each recording layer.

On the other hand, there is the case as described above where noadjustment data has been written to the pre-write area, and thusadjustment of focus and spherical aberration is performed in conjunctionwith adjustment of recording conditions using the test write area OPC(STEP F135). In this case, a significantly long time is necessary sinceprocessing for completing these adjustment operations is verycomplicated and the adjustment values used for the operations affecteach other.

However, according to an aspect of the present invention, when the disc1, whose pre-write area has no data recorded therein, is mounted,adjustment data is written to the pre-write area (STEP F136). Therefore,when the disc 1 is mounted next time and thereafter, the adjustmentoperations can be performed in a decreased time.

The position of the pre-write area in the disc 1 is not limited to theone described in the above example. The pre-write area can be providedin a lead-out zone or an outer zone positioned at the outercircumference side. The pre-write area can also be provided in both theinner circumference side (lead-in zone or an inner zone) and the outercircumference side (lead-out zone or an outer zone).

In view of the recording direction, it can be configured such that thepre-write area of each odd-numbered layer (the first recording layer L0,the third recording layer L2, etc.) is provided in the outercircumference side, and the pre-write area for each even-numbered layer(the second recording layer L1, the fourth recording layer L3, etc.) isprovided in the outer circumference side.

Regarding the recording position of the pre-write flag as determinationinformation, various arrangements other than the above example can beapplied.

Moreover, in the above description, the disc 1 is assumed to be awrite-once disc. However, the disc drive apparatus according to theabove described embodiment can be implemented as being compatible with arewritable disc such as a phase-change recording disc and amagneto-optical recording disc.

The present invention is applicable to various optical recording mediaother than discs.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An optical recording medium including a plurality of recordinglayers, the optical recording medium comprising: an information areaincluding a lead-in zone, a data zone, and a lead-out zone, the lead-inzone or lead-out zone including a pre-write area for recording dataprior to data being recorded in the data zone, the pre-write area beingdisposed at a predetermined position on each of the plurality ofrecording layers; and a temporary disc management area to record atleast replacement management information, the temporary disc managementarea including a disc definition structure including a single one-bytepre-write area flag indicating for all of the plurality of recordinglayers of the optical recording medium whether or not the data for eachrespective layer has been recorded in the pre-write area, wherein thesingle one-byte pre-write area flag comprises only one bit for eachrespective recording layer so that a value of the only one bit indicateswhether or not the data in the pre-write area has been recorded for therespective recording layer.
 2. The optical recording medium of claim 1,wherein the optical recording medium is a write-once recording medium onwhich data can only be written one time.
 3. The optical recording mediumof claim 1, wherein the disc definition structure further includes aspare area full flag indicating whether all of an inner spare area andan outer spare area has been used for data writing.